Bert J. Quint
Health Pioneers:
THE UAE LEADERS
Making Waves in 2025
E t s ‘ N o t e
Natalie May
Natalie May
Trailblazers of Tomorrow
ThehealthcaresystemintheUAEisaworldstandardof excellence,spearheadedbyvisionaryleaderswhoare breakingnewgroundinmedicalinnovation.Thesepioneers inhealth,throughtheirunshakeablecommitment,have builtastrongerregion'shealthcaresystem,makinghigh-end careaccessibletoeveryone.Theirefforts,rangingfrom revolutionarywoundcareproductstostrategicplaysin deliveringhealthcare,notonlyboostedtheirorganizations butalsomadetheUAEacenterofmedicaladvancement.
Wefeatureinthiseditiontheseextraordinaryindividuals whoselivesareatestamenttoresilience,ingenuity,and profoundcommitmenttothehealthandwellbeingof society.Eachofthemisaexampletothepowerofleadershipinwithstandingchallengesandseizingopportunitiesto improvelives.Frombringinginnovativetechnologytothe sectortodevelopingpoliciesthatexpandaccesstocare, theseleadershavelefttheirmarkintheindustry Their workisaguideforotherswhoaspiretobringabout improvementinhealthcare,eitherasclinicians,entrepreneurs,orintellectuals.
Thiseditiontitled,HealthPioneers:TheUAELeaders MakingWavesin2025,isdesignedtoeducateandinspire. Foranyoneenteringthehealthcarearena,thispublication providespricelessinformationonwhatmakesgreat leadership—vision,tenacity,andadesireforcontribution. Asyoureadthesepages,allowthesestoriestofuelyour passiontoinnovateandbuildtowardsabetter,morejust society.Let'scelebratepioneerswhoarepavingthewayfor thefutureofhealthcareintheUAEandworldwide.
Turn the page for an enlightening read ahead!
CON
08 COVER STORY
Bert J. Quint
A Leader Who’s Changing the Way the World Heals
PROFILES
Amanda Gravitis
Leading the Path to a More E cient Healthcare System
Arif Durrani
A Strategic Leader Shaping the UAE’s Healthcare Future
Exploring the Role of Technology in Wound Care Therapy Advancements
How UAE Healthcare Innovation is Leading the Region in Genomic Research
HEALTH PIONEERS: THE UAE LEADERS MAKING WAVES IN 2025
Brief Featuring Person
Akesh Shanawas CEO
Organiza on
Unicare Medical Trading LLC unicareuae.com
Amanda Gravi s CEO Smart Salem smartsalem.ae
Arif Durrani CEO
MEDIC medicgcc.com
Bert J. Quint CEO
Dr. Asma Al Halaseh CEO
DEBx Medical debx-medical.com
PureHealth purehealth.ae
Akesh is a dynamic entrepreneur spearheading medical trading, delivering quality healthcare solu ons, and building strong partnerships to enhance accessibility and innova on in the industry.
Amanda is a dynamic leader passionate about transforming healthcare through innova ve technology. She builds strong teams, solves complex problems, and drives meaningful, las ng change.
Arif is an inspiring healthcare leader who showcases a deep passion for equitable care, driving MEDIC’s innova ve, pa ent-centered solu ons in the UAE.
Bert is a thought leader in wound management, driving innova ve solu ons to enhance pa ent outcomes, reduce healthcare costs, and revolu onize chronic wound treatment.
Dr. Asma is a visionary leader driving healthcare innova on, fostering wellness, and advancing medical excellence through strategic ini a ves and compassionate care for communi es.
BERT J. QUINT
A LEADER WHO’S CHANGING
THE WAY THE WORLD HEALS
CEO | DEBX MEDICAL
To
changethecourseofhealthcare,youneedaleaderwhosees beyondthepresentandenvisionsafutureofimprovement. BertJ.Quint,CEOofDEBxMedical,isexactlythat—a visionaryleaderpushingtheboundariesofwoundcareand bringingtransformativesolutionstolife.Hisleadershipin healthcareextendsbeyondcompanyoperationsbecausehe seekstotransformchronicwoundcarestandardsand deliveroptimalpatienttreatmentmethods.
Duetopersistenthealthcarechanges,Bert’sleadership techniquesriseaboveothers.Hisleadershipmethod transformscostmanagementintoastrategicapproachthat concentratesonendresults.Whatreallymattersisnotjust treatingasymptom,butsolvingaproblembeforeitgets worse.Hismainobjectivecentersondeliveringsuperior treatmentresultsthatenhancemedicalinterventionsand minimizethepatientburdenofpersistentwounds throughoutthehealthcarenetwork.Underhisleadership, DEBxMedicalhasbeenattheforefrontofthismission, turninginnovativeideasintoreal-worldsolutionsthatare makingahugedifference.
OperatingoutoftheUAE,acountryknownforitsdriveto modernizeandinnovate,Bertispartofawaveofleaders whoarereimaginingwhathealthcarecanlooklike.His approachishands-on,hiscommitmentispersonal,andhis focusisalwaysonwhat’sbestforthepatient.
Employingtheirexpertiseinmedicalpracticesandbusiness operations,Bert,togetherwithhisteam,bringsnew transformativesolutionstochronicwoundtreatmentswhich shortenhealingperiodsandimprovepatients’lives.This visionofhealthcare—whereinnovationandcompassion meet—iswhatdrivesBerteveryday
“
I quickly
understood that our medical systems are focusing on treating symptoms and not focusing on procedures and not on outcome, and that costs are more important than values.
Let’s take a closer look at the key moments, insights, and values that drive Bert and DEBx Medical in their pursuit of healthcare excellence!
PivotalExperiencesShapingLeadership
Reflectingonhisjourney,Bertrevealsthathisapproachto leadershiphasbeenprofoundlyshapedbyhisupbringing.
“Growingupinamedicalworld,withamotherasatrauma surgeon,spendingalotoftimeinherhospitalasakid,the medicalworldbecameanaturalthingforme.”Froma youngage,hewasimmersedintherealitiesofhealthcare, gainingfirsthandinsightintothechallengesandrewardsof theindustry Thisearlyexposurelaidthefoundationforhis lifelongcommitmenttoimprovinghealthcaresystems.
Aftersteppingintotheindustrypost-university,Bert realizedthathealthcaresystemswereoftenfocusedon treatingsymptomsratherthanaddressingoutcomes.“I quicklyunderstoodthatourmedicalsystemsarefocusing ontreatingsymptomsandnotfocusingonproceduresand notonoutcome,andthatcostsaremoreimportantthan values,”hesays.Thisrecognitionsparkedhispassionfor shiftingtheindustry’sfocustowardsolutionsthatprioritize patientoutcomesandthevalueofcare.
ForBert,achievingpositiveoutcomesandcreatinglongtermvalueinhealthcareareofutmostimportance.“Forme outcomeandvaluearesignificant:youneedtoprevent, solveadiseasefromgettingoutofcontrolandnotsimply calculatethecostofatabletyouprescribe.”Hisapproach centersaroundthebeliefthathealthcareshouldbeefficient, effective,andcost-consciouswhilealwaysstrivingto deliverthebestpossibleresultsforpatients.
TheInspirationBehindWoundCare
Bert’spassionforwoundcarestemsfromthecriticalroleit playsinthehealthcaresystemandtheenormouschallenges itposes.Chronicwounds,particularlythosecausedby conditionssuchasdiabetes,aresomeofthemostcomplex andcostlyhealthcareissues.“Chronicwoundsareamong thecostliestmedicalissuesourhealthsystemdealswith today,”hepointsout.Despiteadvancesinhealthcare,there isstillnouniversallyeffectivemethodtotreatthese wounds.Theproblemisfurthercompoundedbythe growingissueofantibioticresistance,whichmakes infectionshardertotreat.
Whatdriveshimistheopportunitytochangethelivesof patientssufferingfromthesechronicwounds.“Theoldest
patientswecouldtreatwaslivingformorethan30years withanon-healingpainfulwound,andnowtheygranulized andfinallyclosed,”heshares.
Hiscompany,DEBxMedical,wasfoundedwiththegoalof addressingthesechallenges.“Havingagamechangerinour hands,wastherealdriverbehindDEBxMedical;Iwantto changetheoutcomeofmillionsofpatients,”heexplains. WithhisvisionandDEBxMedical’scutting-edgesolutions, hehopestoreshapethewaychronicwoundsaretreatedand helpcountlessindividualsleadhealthier,morecomfortable lives.
ADefiningMomentinLeadership
InBert’stenureatDEBxMedical,therehavebeenmany momentsthathavereinforcedhiscommitmentto innovationandpatient-centeredcare.Onemomentstands outvividly:“Thesadstoryofanother93-year-oldpatient, treatedinaSpanishhospital,sufferingfromavenousleg ulcer(VLU),inthelast16years.Ourmethodclosedthe woundinjustundertwomonths.”Hedescribesthe sufferingthispatientenduredforyears—pain,discomfort, andadiminishedqualityoflife.Theabilitytotreatthis
“
I am traveling a lot to all corners of the globe to meet wound experts and ideally, I am able to treat patients directly with them.
patientsuccessfullyandseethewoundhealwasapowerful affirmationoftheimpactDEBxMedicalismaking.
Thisexperienceandmanyotherslikeitserveasaconstant reminderofwhyBertissopassionateabouthiswork.
“Imaginethesufferingshehadtoendureallthoseyears,the pain,thecosttothehealthsystem,herdiscomforts,her abilitytoliveanormallife,”hereflects.“Thisisoneof many,Icouldgoon.”Thesestoriesoftransformation continuetodriveDEBxMedical’smissionforward.
FosteringaCultureofInnovationandCollaboration
Bertattributesmuchofhissuccesstothecollaborativeand innovativeculturehehasnurturedwithinhisteam.He believesinconnectingthebestmindsandsurrounding himselfwithtalentedindividualswhobringdifferent perspectivesandexpertisetothetable.“Isurroundmyself withpeoplewhoaremostlyyounger,smarter,ormore experiencedthanmyselfinspecificfields,”hesays.DEBx Medical’steamissmallbuthighlyeffective,andtheypride themselvesonbeingabletoachievemorewithfewer resources.“Weareasmallgroupofpassionatepeople,very multicultural,Itrytoexposethebestofthem,letthem expresstheirviewsandbringtheirideasbacktoearthif needed,”heexplains.
“ Chronic wounds are among the costliest medical issues our health system deals with today.
Thecompany’sproductsaredisruptivebynature,andthis requiresacompletelydifferentapproachtoleadership.“Our veryfirstemployeesbecamerealleadersintheirfield.Their workisvisibleineverycornerofourcompany,ourweb andmarketingaretopofthegametoday,”Bertsays.By fosteringanenvironmentthatencouragesinnovationand embracesnewideas,DEBxMedicalcontinuestopushthe boundariesofwhatispossibleinthehealthcaresector.
TheQualitiesofEffectiveLeadership
InBert’sview,effectiveleadershipinhealthcarerequiresa balanceofopen-mindedness,empathy,andtheabilityto collaborate.“Openmindedculture:listeningandreflecting onwhatourpeoplethink.Thisislivedbymytwopartners fromtheverybeginning.ProfCarloBignozziisthistypeof teacherathisfacultyinFerraraandDr.AlbertoCogo,lives forhiswoundcenterandpatients,”heshares.The leadershipteamatDEBxMedicalvaluescollaboration,not justwithintheircompanybutalsowithexternalexpertsand healthcareprofessionalsaroundtheworld.
Bertalsorecognizestheimportanceofmaintaininga patient-centeredfocuswhileleadingagrowingcompany. Hefrequentlytravelsgloballytomeetwithexpertsin woundcare,aswellastodirectlytreatpatientsalongside doctors,nurses,andpharmacists.“Iamtravelingalottoall cornersoftheglobetomeetwoundexpertsandideally,I amabletotreatpatientsdirectlywiththem,”hesays.This hands-onapproachgiveshiminvaluableinsightsinto patientneedsandallowshimtowitnessfirsthandthe effectivenessofDEBxMedical’ssolutions.
OvercomingChallengesinHealthcareInnovation
Likeanyfarsightedleader,Berthasfacedhisfairshareof challenges.Oneofthebiggesthurdlesinbuildinga companylikeDEBxMedicalissecuringfundingtosupport innovationandgrowth.“Atstart,weworkedwithourown funds,laterwegotthefirstinvestmentsallowingtoachieve firstmilestones,butwhengoingforproductregistration, clinicalstudies,certificationsandobtainingmarket approvalsin60-70countries,youneedsolidinvestments,” heexplains.
However,securingtherightinvestmentsisnotjustabout money—it’saboutfindingtherightpartnerswho understandtheuniquechallengesofthehealthcaresector. “Venturecapitalisatrickyanimal,andyouneedtobe patientandselectthebestVCyoucanfind,someonedeeply understandingtheenvironment,ourmarketandour
challenges,beateamplayer,”headvises.DEBxMedical wasfortunatetofindapartnerwhosharedtheirvision,and thecompanyhasgrownsubstantiallyasaresult.
MentorshipandProfessionalDevelopment
MentorshipplaysacrucialroleinBert’sleadershipstyle. Byattractingthebrightestmindsandencouragingopen dialogue,hebelievesthatDEBxMedicalcancontinueto innovateandgrow.“Byattractingbrightpeopleand listeningtopatientsandcaregivers,yougetideas,”he notes.Heisproudofthestrongpipelineofproductshis companyhasdeveloped,whichhebelieveswillbring significantvaluetothehealthcaresector.
StayingInformedandForward-Thinking
Stayingontopofemergingtrendsandtechnologiesis essentialforanycompanyinthehealthcarespace.Bert keepshimselfinformedbytravelingtheworld,attending meetings,andengagingwithexperts.“Youtraveltheworld, listentoalottopeopleandtrytounderstandtheirneeds,” heexplains.Healsoreliesonscientificpublicationsand digitalplatformstostayconnectedtothelatest developmentsinhealthcare.
Thehealthcareindustryischangingrapidly,andthekey challenge,accordingtohim,isreducingcostswhile
improvingthequalityofcare.“Populationsaregrowing,we alllivelonger,andneweconomiesarerising.Thiscallsfor disruptivesolutionsifwewanttomaintainandimproveour healthcaresystem,”hesays.
Bert’sPersonalGoalsandDEBxMedical’sFuture
Lookingahead,Bert’spersonalgoalistocontinue transformingthewaychronicwoundsaretreated.The numbersarestaggering:“2%oftheworldpopulationis goingtobecomediabetic,25%willsufferchronicwounds, and25%ofthosewilllosealimb,andoncethishappens, survivalratesare20%overfiveyears.”Thisisacrisisthat heisdeterminedtoaddresswiththeinnovativesolutions developedatDEBxMedical.Hisvisionisclear,toimprove thelivesofmillionsofpatientsandtocontinuepushingthe boundariesofwoundcare.
HebelievesthatDEBxMedical’sapproachcanserveasa modelforothersinthehealthcaresector.“Perhapsother industryleaderswillfollowourpathandbringgame changerstothetable,”hesays.AsDEBxMedicalcontinues tomakewavesinthehealthcareindustry,Bertremains steadfastinhiscommitmenttotransformingthefutureof woundcareandimprovingpatientoutcomesonaglobal scale.
Exploring the Role of Technology in WOUND CARE THERAPY Advancements
Woundcaretherapyhasimprovedalotinrecent
yearsduetofasttechnologicalgrowth.Dueto recenttechnologicaldevelopments,notjustlong woundslikediabeticulcersbutalsoshort-terminjurieslike burnsaredealtwithandmanagedmuchmoreeffectivelyby medicalprofessionalstoday.Duetothesetechnological advancements,patientshealquicker,encounterlessrisk, andexperiencebetteroutcomes.
The article highlights the main role technology is having in shaping Wound Care and the key changes it brings to modern healthcare.
TheEvolutionofWoundCareTherapy
Woundmanagementinthepastreliedmainlyoneasysteps likewashing,puttingonbandagesandremovingdead
tissue.Whiletheycouldbehelpful,thesemethodswerenot alwaysprecisewhichoftenledtolongerhealingprocesses andmorechancesofinfection.Becauseoftechnological progress,treatmentscannowbemoreindividualizedand effective.Moderntreatments,likebioengineereddressings, negativepressurewoundtherapy(NPWT)anddigitaltools, arehelpingtoimprovewoundcare.
BioengineeredDressingsandSmartMaterials
Theuseofbioengineereddressingisoneofthemost importantchangesinWoundCareTherapy.Conventional bandagesaredesignedtostaypassive,butthesedressings aremadetointeractmoreactivelywiththewoundarea.For example,hydrogeldressingshelpwoundsstaymoistatthe ideallevelwhichspeedsuphealingindrywounds.
Collagen-baseddressingshelptissuesgrowbysimulating thebody’sownextracellularmatrix.
Thistechnologyisadvancedfurtherbytheuseofsmart materials.Insomecases,sensorsareaddedtothedressing toobservewhetherthewoundisinfected,howacidicitisor whattemperatureithas.Earlydetectionofinfectioncanbe providedbythesesensors,soclinicianscanactpromptly UseofsuchtechnologymakesWoundTherapymore proactivewhichhelpstoavoidmanycomplications.
NegativePressureWoundTherapy(NPWT)
NegativePressureWoundTherapyisnowamainpartof modernWoundCareTherapy.NPWTusesaspecial dressingandregulatedsuctiontoremoveextrafluidfrom thewound,reduceswellingandencouragebloodflow,all ofwhichhelpthewoundtoheal.Pressureulcersand surgicalwoundsaregoodexamplesofsituationswhere NPWTishelpfulsincestandarddressingsarenotvery effective.
Withtheuseofportableandthrow-awaypumps,NPWTis noweasierforpatientstoreceiveathomeorinotherareas besidestheclinic.Usingportablesystems,patientsareable toreceivetreatmentathomewhichhelpsthemlivebetter andkeepupwiththeirtreatment.BecauseNPWTis accurateandversatile,itdemonstrateshowtechnologyis improvingWoundCareforbothpatientsandpractitioners.
DigitalMonitoringandTelemedicine
NewopportunitiesinWoundCareTherapyhavearisen becauseofdigitalhealthtechnologies.Bothwearable technologyandmobileappscannowhelpwithreal-time woundmonitoring.Telemedicinehelpsthesedevelopments byprovidingtheabilitytomeetwithdoctorsvirtually. Examiningwoundsiseasierforcliniciansviahighdefinitionimagesorvideocalls,sopatientsdonothaveto gototheclinic.Theuseofdigitalmediainthiswayallows forimprovedaccessandround-the-clocktrackingwhich makesWoundCaremoreeffectiveandcenteredonpatients.
AdvancedImagingandDiagnostics
Agooddiagnosisisnecessaryforproperwoundcareand moderntechnologyhasmadethispossibleinmanymore ways.Today’stechnologysuchas3Dwoundscanningand thermalcameras,givesdoctorsunmatchedabilityto examinewounds.Theygiveafullpictureofthewound’s depth,howhealthythetissuesareandthechanceof infection.
Artificialintelligence(AI)isalsoincreasinglyinvolvedin diagnostics.AIprogramsareabletoexaminewound picturestoforecasthealingpathwaysordetectinitial indicatorsofcomplications.WiththeintegrationofAIand sophisticatedimaging,healthprofessionalscanmake
informeddata-basedchoices,furtherimprovingthe effectivenessofWoundCareTherapy.
RegenerativeMedicineandBiologics
Regenerativemedicineisanotherareawheretechnologyis propellingadvancesinWoundCare.Stemcelltherapyand growthfactortherapyareusedtospeedtissueregeneration andrepair.Platelet-richplasma(PRP)therapy,forexample, usesthebody'sownrepairmechanismstohastenhealingin long-standingwounds.Likewise,tissue-engineeredskin substitutesserveasascaffoldfornewtissueregeneration andholdpromiseforcriticallyburnedornon-healingulcer patients.
Thesebiologictreatmentsarecomplementedbyadvanced manufacturingmethods,including3Dbioprinting,toenable tailoredskingrafts.Withtheapplicationofprecision treatmentsthatmeettheuniquerequirementsofeach patient,regenerativemedicineistransformingwhatcanbe donewithWoundTherapy.
ChallengesandFutureDirections
Althoughtechnologyhasbroughtsubstantialadvances, therearechallenges.Highcost,notreadilyavailableinlowresourcesettings,andnecessaryspecializedtrainingcould keepitfrombeingwidelyadopted.Furthermore,the integrationofcomplextechnologiesintocurrentclinical practicerequiresrobustinfrastructureandprocedural standardization.
Inthefuture,theprospectsofWoundCareTherapyare bright.Withnanotechnology,drugdeliverytoawound couldbetargeted;withrobotics,precisedebridementcould befacilitated.
Conclusion
Thecontributionoftechnologytowardthedevelopmentof WoundCareTherapycannotbeoveremphasized.From biologicallydesigneddressingstoAI-assisteddiagnostics, allofthesetechnologiesarerevolutionizingwoundcare, enhancingtherateofhealing,andoptimizingpatients' qualityoflife.Withnewerwavesoftechnologywashing overtheworld,itissuretobecomeagatewaytonewer opportunities,makingWoundCareTherapyallthemore specific,universal,andeffective.Withthesedevelopments, medicalprofessionalscanmakesurethatthepatientsare providedwiththebestintreatment,andthusatimewill arrivewheneventhetoughestinjurieswillbetreated properly
-Pearl Shaw
Leading the Path to a More Efficient Healthcare System
Noteveryjourneyintohealthcarestartswitha
stethoscope.ForAmandaGravitis,itbeganwith apassionforbuildingstrongteams,solving problems,andmakingarealdifference.Today,she’sthe CEOofSmartSalem,acompanythat’schangingtheway peoplegetmedicaltestsintheUAE.UnderAmanda’s leadership,SmartSalemhasturnedaprocessthatusedto takealongtimeintosomethingfastandeasy,thanksto technologylikerobotsandsmartcomputers.Inthis interview,Amandasharesherjourney,theideabehind SmartSalem,andwhatit’sliketoleadacompanythat’s changinghealthcareforthebetter
Amanda Gravitis Chief Executive Officer Smart Salem
Amandabelievesthatthefutureofhealthcareisn’tjust aboutfixingproblemsbutabouthelpingpeoplestayhealthy inthefirstplace.She’sbuildingacompanythatmakes healthcarefaster,easier,andmorepersonalforeveryone. Herstoryisoneoflearning,adapting,andmakinga positiveimpactontheworldaroundher
Let’s delve into the details below!
Canyoushareabitaboutyourjourneyandwhat inspiredyoutotakeontheroleofCEOatSmartSalem?
Ididn’tstartoutinhealthcare.I’vehadaveryunique collectionofexperiences,andIdofeelveryproudabout whereIamtoday.Mybackgroundisinconsultingand industry,butmypassionisaboutbuildingthings(including teams)andcreatingapositiveimpactonsociety.Imovedto DubaifromAustraliatojoinPwCin2021,becameCOOat SmartSalemin2022,andin2023waspromotedtoCEO.
AkeythingisthatI’vebeenopentoalloftheseopportunities.
HealthPioneers:TheUAELeadersMakingWavesin2025
HowisSmartSalemrevolutionizingthehealthcareand medicaltestingsectorintheUAE?Whatsetsitapart fromtraditionalmedicalscreeningcenters?
Ultimately, we want to empower people to make more informed choices earlier, understand their predispositions, prevent illnesses and treatment, and improve their quality of life and physical performance.
IntheUAEallexpatriatesarerequiredtoregularlyundergo amedicaltestaspartoftheprocesstoobtainandrenew theirresidency.Inmostcasesthismeansfindingacenter nearyou,queuingforquitesometime,andreceivingresults dayslater.SmartSalemistheonlypremiumvisamedical testproviderintheUAEofferingafullydigitalexperience forcustomers,withthreeconvenientlocations,results issuedwithin30minutes(beforeyouevenarrivehomeor backtotheoffice),valetparking,androbotstowelcome andassistyouduringyourvisit(someevenmakeyour coffee)!Thetimetakentocompleteyourtestinthecenteris lessthan10minutes.
Wealsoofferarangeofcutting-edgepreventativehealth andwellnessscreenings,includinggeneralhealthchecks, intolerancetests,andevengutmicrobiomeanalysisand SmartDNAtestsfornutrition,aging,andhairandskin healththatarepoweredandmadepossiblebyadvancedAI.
Ultimately,wewanttoempowerpeopletomakemore informedchoicesearlier,understandtheirpredispositions, preventillnessesandtreatment,andimprovetheirqualityof lifeandphysicalperformance.
Technologyisreshapinghealthcare.HowisSmart SalemleveragingAIandautomationtoenhance efficiencyandimprovepatientexperiences?
AIisplayingasignificantroleintransformingmost industries,includinghealthcare.Forme,themostexciting thingaboutitisthatitmakescomprehensiveandproactive healthscreeningsomuchmoreaccessibleandrelevantfor everyone.
AdvancedAIhasgivenustheabilitytoprocessenormous volumesofdatainafractionofthetime-suchasthe trillionsofmicro-organismsinthegutmicrobiomeorthe billionsofnucleotidesinDNA,makingthiskindof comprehensiveanalysisalmostuniversallyaccessible, includingfromacostperspective.Ithasopenedthedoor forsignificantlyimprovedoutcomesforpatientssuffering fromcommonailmentssuchasguthealthissues,hairloss andacne.Beingabletocomparelargedatasetsalsomeans wecanmakemuchmoremeaningfulcomparisonsandis whyweareabletoofferpatientshighlypersonalized recommendations.
WiththeUAEpositioningitselfasaglobalhubfor healthcareinnovation,howdoyouseeSmartSalem evolvinginthecomingyears?Anyexpansionornew initiativesinthepipeline?
Thisisafast-pacedindustry,andwewanttobeonestep ahead,always,soweareconstantlyexploringandtesting newideasandtechnologies.Wedohavesomeexcitingnew servicesplanned,butyou’llhavetowaitandsee.
Whataresomeofthebiggestchallengesinleadinga healthcare-techcompanyintheUAE,andhowdoyou navigatethem?
Thechallengeswehaveexperiencedhavemostlycome fromthespeedatwhichwehavescaled.SinceIjoined,we haveexpandedfromonetothreecenters–andthis happenedinaperiodofsixmonths-andgrownfrom20 employeesto~120now
Scalingupoperations,systemsandprocessesatthisspeed whilemaintainingqualityoftheserviceandconsistency acrossmultiplesiteswasarealchallenge,butwebuiltan
incredibleteamofpeoplewhowereboughtintothevision andunderstoodthatnoteverythingwasgoingtobeperfect allofthetime,andtogetherwemadeithappen.
Asaleaderinthehealthcarespace,whatprinciples guideyourleadershipstyle,andhowdoyoufoster innovationwithinyourteam?
Wehavejustlaunchedourculturebook,withaveryclear purpose,visionandvalueswhichguideusinallofour actions,fromtheleadershipteamthroughtoourcustomer happinessofficerswhogreetourcustomers.
Ourpurpose,thereasonweexist,istoempowerpeopleand communitiestoenjoybetter,healthierandlongerlivesand ourvisionistobringthefutureofpreventativehealthand wellnesstothepeopleandcommunitiesoftheUAE.We aspiretochallengethestatusquoandreallydrivethe transformationfrom healthcare tohealthandtodothatwe havetobeaheadofthegame,innovative,transformative andwillingtotakerisks.Oneofourcorevaluesis‘onestep ahead,’whichembodiesthisapproachandensuresthat everyoneactswithaninnovativemindseteveryday.
Whatmajortrendsdoyouforeseeshapingthefutureof healthcareandmedicaldiagnosticsintheUAEand beyond?
AIwillhavethebiggesttransformativeimpacton healthcarebothhereintheUAEandgloballyincoming years.Itwillbecomeafullyintegratedelementofexisting healthsystemsacrossthewholeclinicaljourney,universalizingaccessandenhancingdiagnosticspeed,accuracyand insights.Itwillenableearlieridentificationofcurrently complexcasesandconditionsanddrasticallyoptimise medicalimagingprocessspeeds.Thiswillmeanwecan implementmoreeffectiveinterventionsearlier,leadingto greatlyimprovedoutcomesacrossmultiplecoredisease processes.Itwillalsodramaticallyimprovetheextentto whichtestingandtreatmentcanbepersonalized.
Whatadvicewouldyougivetoemergingentrepreneurs andprofessionalslookingtomakeanimpactinthe healthcareandtechindustries?
ThebestadviceIcangiveistotakeupeveryopportunitysayyesalotbecauseyouneverknowwheresomething mightleadyou,whatdoorsmightopen.
Also,don’tgettoohungupongettingeverythingright–youwillmakemistakes,butwhat’smostimportantisthat youlearnfastwhenthingsdon’tgoasplannedandadapt. Makinganydecisionisbetterthanmakingnodecision.
Finally,hiregoodpeoplewhobelieveinyourpurposeand alignwithyourvalues–thisiscrucial!Thisisimportantin anyindustrybutevenmoresoinhealthcare.
ArifDurrani CEO MEDIC–MedicalDiagnostic &ImagingCenter
Arif Durrani
A Strategic Leader Shaping the UAE’s Healthcare Future
Thepathtoleadershipisrarelyastraightline,and
forArifDurrani,CEOofMEDIC,itwasa journeyshapedbydiverseexperiencesacross FMCG,QSR,andRetailsectorsbeforesteppingintothe healthcareindustry.Histransitionbeganatthefamilyoffice ofMr AbdulrahmanFalaknaz—MEDIC’sChairmanand co-ownerofDubaiSportsCity—wherehetookonthe responsibilityofleadingMEDIC.
Fueledbypassionanddetermination,Arifcommittedto makinghealthcaremoreequitableandaccessible.Seeing MEDIC’spotentialtoinnovateandtransformpatientcare, heembracedthechallengeofdrivingstrategicgrowth, buildingsustainablesolutions,andshapingthefutureof diagnostics.
Today,underhisleadership,MEDICisnotjustahealthcare providerbutavisionaryforce,bridginggapsintheindustry andredefiningpatient-centeredcareintheUAE.His journeyisatestamenttoboldleadership,bigideas,anda relentlesspursuitofexcellence.
Let’s delve into the interview details below!
AstheCEOofMEDIC,whatcorevaluesandvision guideyourleadershipdecisionsandthecompany’s overallmission?
Ourcorevalues—patient-centricity,innovation,integrity, transparency,collaboration,empowerment,and accessibility—serveastheguidingprinciplesinour leadershipandshapethewayweapproachchallengesand opportunitiesinthehealthcaresector.
Vision:OurvisionatMEDICistobearegionalleaderin transforminghealthcareasagroupandgrownotjust verticallyindiagnosticsbutalsohorizontallybycreating newverticals(superspecializations–geriatrics,wellness, gastroenterology,andoncologyareourfocusareas).We strivetobeattheforefrontofhealthcareinnovation
(technology),continuouslyevolvingtomeetthegrowing demandsoftheglobalpopulationwhileensuringthatthe higheststandardsofethics,care,andserviceare maintained.
Whatarethemostsignificantchallengesyou’ve encounteredinthehealthcareindustry,particularlyin theUAE,andhowhaveyouovercomethem?
TheUAE’shealthcaresectorisevolvingrapidly,bringing uniquechallengesthatrequirestrategicsolutions.
AtMEDIC,weprioritizecutting-edgetechnologiesand continuousworkforceupskilling,collaboratingwithlocal andinternationalinnovatorstostayaheadindiagnostics andAI.
Navigatingregulatoryandcompliancechallenges,we investtimeinunderstandingDHAregulations,ensuringour solutionsmeetglobalstandards,preventingoperational disruptions.
Talentacquisitionandretentioniskey—wefostera dynamic,rewardingenvironment,emphasizingwork-life balance,teamwork,andwell-beingtokeepemployees motivated.
Withthegrowingdemandforhealthcareservices,we optimizeoperationalefficiency,embraceautomation,and leverageexperiencetomanagehigherpatientvolumes withoutcompromisingquality
MEDIChasmadearemarkableimpactinthe healthcaresector.Couldyoutellusaboutsomeofthe keyinitiativesthathavecontributedtothecompany’s success?
MEDIC,oneofDubai’soldestdiagnosticcenters(since 1995),pioneeredtheprivate-sectorMRImachine,shaping itsjourneythroughstandoutinitiatives.
Health
Withanearlymoveradvantage,weintegratedcutting-edge diagnostictechnologies,enhancingaccuracyandefficiency Ourskilledradiologistsensurehigh-qualityservices,with shorterTATandprecisionreporting,playingavitalrole duringCOVID-19.
Astrongfocusonpatient-centeredcarehasimproved accessibilityandtrust,optimizingthepatientexperience frombookingtoresults.Strategicpartnershipswithclinics, insurers,andcorporatesexpandedourreach.
Our vision at MEDIC is to be a regional leader in transforming healthcare as a group and grow not just vertically in diagnostics but also horizontally by creating new verticals. "
Ourcommitmenttoqualityandcompliancedrivesstrict internalprotocols,JCIaccreditation,andadherenceto MOHAPstandards.Weprioritizeemployeetraining, fosteringinnovation,satisfaction,andretention.
Arobustmarketingandbusinessdevelopmentstrategy positionedMEDICasapremierchoicefortoptalent. Lastly,ourinvestmentinworld-classequipmentfrom SiemensandPhilipsensuresuncompromisedquality, instillingconfidenceindoctors,clients,andpatients.
HowhastechnologyandinnovationshapedMEDIC’s approachtohealthcaredelivery,andwhatroledoyou seeitplayinginthefutureoftheindustry?
TechnologyandinnovationhavebeencentraltoMEDIC’s approachtohealthcaredelivery,drivingboththeefficiency andqualityofourservices.Theentirejourneyofthepatient experienceandcareisfullymappedandautomatedatall touchpoints.Wehavealwaysfocusedonbeingprocess drivenandnotpeopledriven,resultinginimprovedTAT, accuracy,convenience,visibility,dataprivacyand compliance/regulatory.Wearecommittedtothecountry’s visonofbeingtechnologicallyrelevant.
MEDICisalreadyexploringinternationalpartnershipsto secure;stateoftheartandbestinclasstechnologiesthat willaddressthegapsandpainareasoftheexisting healthcarespace.
Inyouropinion,whataresomeofthebiggesttrends currentlyshapingthehealthcarelandscapeintheUAE, andhowisMEDICpositionedtostayaheadofthese trends?
HealthcareintheUAEischangingfast,andMEDICis makingsurewestayahead.
Withtelemedicineanddigitalhealthgrowing,we’ve teamedupwithaSingapore-basedcompanytobringin mobileappsandremotediagnostics.Wealsofocuson preventativecare,offeringhealthscreeningsforearly diseasedetectionandrunningawarenessprograms.
Keepingpatientdatasafeisatoppriority,sowe’reworking onISO27001certificationforstrongersecurity.Asmedical tourismgrows,we’repartneringwithinternational organizationstowelcomepatientsfromaroundtheworld.
Wedon’tjustdiagnose—wecareaboutwellness,offering lifestyleadvicealongsidetestresults.We’realsoexpanding intohomehealthcare,withanewlicenseandplansfora dedicatedservice.Plus,we’refillinggapsingeriatrics, gastroenterology,andoncologybybringingintopglobal specialists.
AtMEDIC,ourgoalissimple:bettercare,betterhealth, andabetterfutureforall.
Whatadvicewouldyougivetoemergingleadersand entrepreneurslookingtomaketheirmarkinthe healthcareindustry,particularlyintheUAE?
Thehealthcareindustryisexcitingbutchallenging, especiallyintheUAE.Tosucceed,stayinnovativebyusing AI,telemedicine,andnewtechnologies.Alwaysput patientsfirst—bettercaremeansbettersuccess.Build strongnetworkswithdoctors,investors,andregulatorsto grow.Followtherulestoavoidfinesandproblems.Be resilient—challengeswillcome,butlearningfromthem makesyoustronger.Hiretherightteambecausegreat healthcareneedsteamwork.Thinklong-term—focuson impact,notjustprofit.Understandlocalneedstoservethe UAE’sdiversepopulationbetter.Keepimproving,stay patient-centered,andmakearealdifferenceinhealthcare!
Lookingahead,whatareyourpersonalandprofessional goalsforthenextfiveyears,andhowdoyouseeMEDIC evolvingduringthistime?
Overthenextfiveyears,mygoalistogrowMEDICand helpimprovehealthcareintheUAE.
Personally,Iwanttokeeplearning,growingasaleader,and mentoringothers.Meetingexperiencedhealthcare professionalswillhelpmegainnewinsightsandbuilda strongerteam.
ForMEDIC,Iplantoexpandservicesbyadding telemedicine,AI-powereddiagnostics,andspecializedcare inGeriatrics,Gastroenterology,andOncology.Wealsoaim togrowinternationally,bringingMEDICtonewmarkets.
Improvingefficiencyandsustainabilityiskey—we’llinvest inemployeewellnessandensurelong-termsuccess. Strongerpartnershipswithhospitals,universities,andtech companieswillhelpusinnovateanddeliverbettercare.
We’llfocusonpreventativehealthcare,offeringscreenings andwellnessprogramstokeeppeoplehealthier.Usingdata andanalytics,we’llimprovediagnosisandpersonalize patientcare.
Infiveyears,IseeMEDICasaleadinghealthcareprovider, knownforinnovation,patientcare,andworld-class partnerships.
GenomicresearchisnowamainfocusfortheUAE,
thankstoUAEHealthcareInnovation,makingit theleadingcountryinhealthcareintheregion. Usingmoderntools,joiningforceswithothercountriesand investingintopqualityinfrastructure,UAEishelpingto advanceprecisionmedicineandraisingstandardsinthe MiddleEast.
The article explains how UAE Healthcare is leading the country to become a top genomic research center and transform healthcare services.
StrategyforInnovationinUAEHealthcare
UAEHealthcareInnovationisbasedonthenation’sgoalto becomealeaderinscienceandtechnologyasplannedin UAEVision2021andUAECentennial2071.Atthecoreof thevisionisgenomicresearchintoanorganism’sDNAto findoutabouthealthanddisease.TheEmiratesGenome ProgramisamainprogramofUAEHealthcare,aimingto buildadetailedgeneticdatabaseofthepopulationinthe UAE.Inthismanner,scientistscanfindoutaboutpossible geneticconditionsandsetuppersonalizedtreatments, advancingUAEHealthcareforthebenefitoftheregion.
AdvancedInfrastructure
TheUAEspendsalotonnewandadvancedhealthcare facilitieswhichhelpsdrivehealthcareinnovation.Genomic labsandbiobankshavebeensetupbytheDubaiHealth Authority(DHA)andAbuDhabi’sDepartmentofHealth (DoH).
UAEHealthcareInnovationreliesontheUAEBiobankto collect,storeandstudybiologicalsamplesandDNA informationaboutthemostcommondiseasesintheregion. TheseinvestmentsmakeUAEbuildastableenvironment forgenomicinnovation.
RegionalLeadershipThroughCollaboration
UAEHealthcaretakesitsinfluenceoutintotheregionand theworldthroughcooperationandcollaboration.The HumanGenomeDiversityProject–MiddleEast,fundedby UAEinstitutions,chartsthegeneticdiversityoflocal populations,respondingtotheunderrepresentationof MiddleEasterngenomesininternationalresearch.CollaborationswithinstitutionssuchastheBroadInstituteand WellcomeSangerInstituteallowUAEHealthcareInnovationtoembraceglobalbestpracticesanddeveloplocal expertise.ActivitiessuchastheDubaiHealthForumand EmiratesInternationalGeneticsConferencefurthercement UAEasaregionalcooperationandthoughtleadership platform.
AddressingRegionalHealthChallenges
UAEtargetsMiddleEastprevalenthealthconditions, includinggeneticdiseasesduetoconsanguineousmarriages.GenomicsinUAEHealthcareInnovationdetermines markersfordiseaseslikethalassemiaandsicklecell anemia,makingpossibleearlytreatments.Chronicdiseases suchasdiabetes,endemicintheMiddleEast,arealso treatedviagenetictestingtomakeUAEHealthcarecreate personalizedtreatmentsolutions.AIintegrationhelpsboost predictivepotential,makingiteasiertolightentheloadon healthcaresystems.
DevelopingaCompetentWorkforce
UAEHealthcare'semphasisonthedevelopmentofthe workforceassistsitinremainingattheforefrontof genomics.InstitutionssuchasKhalifaUniversity,United ArabEmiratesUniversity(UAEU),andMohammedBin RashidUniversityofMedicineandHealthSciences
(MBRU)providegenomicsandbioinformaticsprograms. EmiratiGenomeTrainingProgram,UAEHealthcare Innovation'scrownjewel,offersEmiratiscientists sequencinganddataanalysishands-ontrainingtoenable themtodriveworldwideadvancement.Grantsandscholarshipsaugmentthispipelinetalent.
EthicalandRegulatoryFrameworks
SoundethicalandregulatoryfoundationsunderpinUAE Healthcare.TheUAEGeneticDataProtectionLawensures patientconfidentialityandencouragesresponsibleuseof geneticdata.Inalignmentwithinternationalstandards, UAEHealthcarebalancesscientificprogresswithcultural andethicalconsiderations,maintainingpublictrust.
ARegionalModelforGenomicResearch
UAEHealthcareInnovationistheMiddleEasternmodel. Solvingthehealthproblemoftheregionandfacilitating cooperation,theUAEinspiresneighboringcountrieslike SaudiArabiaandQatartoinvestingenomics.ThefrontrunnerstanceofUAEHealthcare'searlyembracementand strategicthinkingleavesthenationwithacompetitiveedge, positioningitasaregionalpioneer.
FutureProspects
Inthecomingyears,UAEispoisedtorevolutionize healthcarewithcustomized,predictive,andpreventive medicine.AsUAEdrivesgenomicsresearchforward,its presenceintheregionwillexpand,establishingtheUAEas agloballeaderinprecisionmedicine.Withthepowerof genomics,UAEisremakinghealthcareandcreatinganew paradigmforhumanwellness.
Inshort,UAEHealthcareInnovationisleadingagenomic revolutionacrosstheMiddleEastwithstrategicinvestment, internationalcollaborations,andtailoringtoregional healthcareneeds.Dedicatedtoexcellence,UAEHealthcare isnotmerelyimprovingoutcomesforitscitizensbutalso leadingaregion-widetransformationinhealthcare.
-Pearl Shaw
